Tram delayed due to gas pipe repairs

Repairs to a gas pipe near the National Theatre (Národní divadlo) on Národní třída are causing traffic problems and tram delays in the city center. The repair work will continue until Oct. 10 when the street excavations will be completed. The central gas pipeline has not had any preventive maintenance work for 50 years. The city is reducing the number of trams passing the construction site during the day.

The route of tram line 2 will be shortened to avoid the Národní divadlo stop. Tram number 17 will be rerouted since the track between the Národní divadlo stop and Jiráskovo náměstí will be closed. It will travel via the Národní třída and Myslíkova stops. The interval between trams will be extended to eight minutes. There is no replacement bus for the section that is bypassed, as traffic is restricted in that area as well.

Pražské plynárenské, the company that maintains gas pipes, is trying to finish the work ahead of schedule so traffic can get back to normal.

Traffic was further complicated on Monday, Oct 3, due to an accident at Karlovo náměstí, which also blocked tram traffic.

The city has recently made keeping track of transportation changes in real time easier with the introduction of a smartphone app for both iOS and Android platforms in three languages: Czech, English and German. The free app is called DPP Info is available from the Google Play Store (for the Android version) or the App Store (for the iOS version). The app shows projected arrival times of trams and also helps plan alternative routes in case of changes, in addition to other functions.

Last September, the city celebrated 140 years of tram service, which began with a horse-drawn line between Karlín and the National Theater. In 1891 the first electric tram line was opened in Letná.